Erbil International Airport EBL / ORER

Iraqi Kurdistan's main international gateway alongside Sulaymaniyah. Per EIA's own published statistics, 2025 traffic eased -1.8% to 2,090,838 passengers from 2,128,659 in 2024 (the 2024 figure independently matches Iraq's ICAA/COSIT data), 2,074,041 in 2023 and about 1.862M in 2022; the modest 2025 dip plausibly reflects the brief regional airspace disruption during the June 2025 Israel-Iran war. Far more significant was 2026: Erbil sat inside the strike zone of a direct Iran-Israel-US war that began 28 February 2026, with repeated drone and missile activity near the airport (which co-hosts a US-linked military section) through March; Iraq's airspace, Erbil included, was fully closed for roughly 40 days until a ceasefire announced 7 April 2026 allowed reopening from 8 April 2026, though most international carriers resumed only gradually. Sporadic drone incidents and brief same-day flight suspensions recurred through the summer — including 21, 22 and 24 July 2026, with Qatar Airways suspending EBL service through end-July 2026, and drones intercepted near the field again on 14 August 2026. As of this record (September 2026) EBL is operating normally, but the security situation remains fluid — check current NOTAMs/AIP supplements before planning EBL diversions, tech stops or crew changes. Only one runway (18/36, 4,800m, CAT II ILS) is operational; three older strips (15-33, 15L-33R, 15R-33L) are permanently closed.